Before You Crowdfund an Invention, Consider Patent Protection

Before You Crowdfund an Invention, Consider Patent Protection Are you an inventor? Do you have an invention that works just as you expected?It all starts with a crazy idea which you believe in so much that you put in the effort to bring it to life.But the journey is never smooth. You will often get close to the working product only for a small hitch to take you several steps back.If you have developed anything from scratch, either a physical product to a virtual one like a software product, you know this process.So, when your eureka moment comes and everything works perfectly, you have a lot to celebrate.And the next logical step is to get funding so you can develop your product in large scale and sell.And where do you get funding from?Easy. You crowdfund. Right?Crowdfunding has gained a lot of popularity as startups seek to launch their business ideas despite having little cash.The idea is to have many people, referred to as backers, contribute small amounts to reach the desired amount.WHY CROWDFUND?The ease and convenience of getting funding through crowdfunding platforms is unmatched.Moreover, this funding avenue offers more than just funding opportunities.Crowdfunding also provides some good benefits which are worth appreciating:More Efficient Than Traditional FundingOne of the reasons crowdfunding is popular is the ease of access to backers.Backers don’t necessarily need to value your idea as banks would, before getting on board with it. It therefore becomes easier to access funding than if you visited a bank for a loan.In many cases, banks will require some form of security. Apart from that, the process is longer and tiresome.And since banks will consider your financial status before lending you any money, you may not stand a chance if you’re not a transacting customer.But what do backers require before giving you funds?All you have to do is win them using your invention and allow them to be first in experiencing it.Backers are people who love being ahead of others.They want to have the most novel of products so they enjoy their value as well as stand out from the crowd.This is why a platform like kickstarter has over 16.7 million backers.Check out the below official statistics about the platform. Source: KickstarterWhere you have such a big number of people willing to buy a new product before others can, the opportunities are unlimited.Also, launching your funding campaign on crowdfunding platforms is as easy as creating an online profile.Running the whole campaign, depending on the product and the duration you specify, can be very short.Indicator of Consumer InterestCrowdfunding also gives you an opportunity to gather customer feedback before having any real customers. You can look at this as product validation.If your invention is really cool and many people are eager to have it, then you know that your product is a success.Going through the comments from backers and potential fans of your product, you’ll see how much the market needs your product.There’s nothing as great for an entrepreneur as having the assurance that your product has a ready market.If the crowdfunding population wants your product, then so will the normal market outside the platform.Provides Cheap Bu t Excellent MarketingAnd with that assurance comes something else very critical for the “normal market.” That thing is marketing.You can look at the crowdfunding platform as a different world from the one you live in. In the crowdfunding world, people are eager to get new stuff. But in the “real” world, the skeptics could outnumber the potential customers.Furthermore, if you have no business experience or are little known, the chances of your business kicking off are slim.But not so if you first go through a platform like kickstarter or Indiegogo.Once the people in these platform go back to the “real” world of Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat etc, they will spread the news.They will create lots of awareness and publicity about the new invention in town.And if you have a website and social media pages, they can share links and help get the word out there.This is what social media marketing is all about.However, the beauty here is that you don’t labor so much. Just do the r ight campaign in the crowdfunding platform and so much more will follow.CROWDFUNDING RISKSBut the benefits of crowdfunding do not in any way mean that there are no risks. In fact, the risks involved are big. These risks are the reason behind writing this article.By the time you’re done reading, you’ll understand what to do to stay safe.The information will help you avoid losing your invention to someone who never worked for it.Here are two of the biggest risks you should be aware of.Stolen IdeasThe problem with crowdfunding is that the platforms are public in nature. And the public nature we’re talking about here is the internet.That means that your fresh and unique ideas are basically visible to the whole world.This was designed and intended to be good for you as an inventor. And indeed, the benefits are great.The fact that you can get publicity from anywhere in the world increases your chances of hitting your funding target.But it’s in that same benefit where the problem l ies.And the problem is made worse by the fact that you have to share lots of information about your invention to get funding.The question is, how safe is the information you’re sharing?Had you been having a discussion with an individual, you could easily get him to commit to secrecy.But on the internet?That’s impossible.People from all over the world are looking for money.And just as thieves want money they never worked for, so do some people want to run with ideas which were never theirs.When you describe on the internet how a product works, it takes an expert in the field very little effort to make minor changes to the concept and make money with it.This is the birth of a competition which you’re likely unaware of.You go ahead to produce your product and find that someone has something which works better than your product.“How come?” you ask.Well, your idea was on the internet. Once on the internet, the safety of your invention is no longer guaranteed.Stolen InventionsA worse case is where the actual invention, not just the concept, is stolen.When this happens, the product which competes with you is a copycat, not a slightly different one. This is where everything is exactly like what you worked on in your private lab.This situation can be very heartbreaking because not only is it daylight robbery, but you can’t even distinguish your product from the robber’s.What’s worse is that you may not be able to do anything about it. You can lament, accuse, claim, threaten etc. But changing the situation altogether is extremely difficult.That was the situation in which an Israeli inventor found himself in. His invention wasn’t “improved” upon. It was replicated exactly as he had invented it.Yekutiel Sherman was sure he was going to become rich from exploiting the global selfie trend. Instead of relying on the traditional selfie stick, he designed a smartphone case which doubled as a selfie stick.All you needed to do was pull back the “stick” from the back of the cover, adjust the phone position and voila!But unknown to him, someone was keen on reaping where he had not sown. Just seven days into the kickstarter campaign, someone had stolen the invention, manufactured the product and was already selling it.Seven days is all it took for Yekutiel’s invention to make someone else rich.And that’s not all. Whereas the original product was to retail at $47.41, the copycat was on sale at $8.18. You can guess what the reaction of the backers was like when they got the news.HOW TO PROTECT YOUR INVENTIONIt’s always wise to learn from other people’s experiences. You don’t have to go through a similar situation so as to learn.This article teaches you how to protect your invention through patenting.Patenting is the only real protection you can have for your invention. The challenge however is that patenting is not easy.First, it’s a process and second, it’s costly.But does that mean that you should gamble and leave your invention vulnerable?Certainly not.There are steps you can take to safeguard your hard work and ensure you benefit accordingly from its commercialization.Here is what you should keep in mind as you seek to fund your invention.Patent Before Revealing Your InventionThe safest way to protect your invention is by patenting it before you go to source for funds.This is advisable whether you’re crowdfunding or looking for an angel investor or a venture capitalists.When you apply for a patent, you won’t get the patent immediately. It will take some time before the United States Patent and Trademark Office clears your invention for patenting. However, in the course of that time, your invention is well protected.As you go for patenting, it’s important that you understand that there are different protections that you can benefit from.Apart from protecting the invention itself, you can also protect your trademark and have copyrights for any written material used specifically to market you r product.The below video from the USPTO explains the differences between a patent, trademark and copyrights. Having done this, you can safely go ahead and describe your invention as required by backers.In fact, you can even say that your invention is already patented. That statement in itself will be a deterrent.In the event that someone steals your idea or the invention, you can take legal action against him.Patent Within One Year of Revealing Your InventionIn case you have already exposed your unique solution to the whole world without patenting, you can still do it.Normally, you are allowed by the law to apply for a patent within one year of disclosing your invention to the public. You should be relieved to know that all hope is not lost.However, you need to move quickly. If someone else beats you to that application, you might have difficulties getting the patent for yourself.It can be frustrating for you to start the process only to discover that someone else did it before you .At this point, you will have to prove ownership.Simply mentioning your crowdfunding campaign as evidence that you are the owner of the invention may not suffice in a court of law.Of course you can argue out your case logically.But will you be able to prove that the other party doesn’t have the knowledge you have? The idea? The resources?The best thing to do if you have an invention out there, just apply for the patent as soon as possible.Patenting is a “First To File” ProcessTo see the challenge in the situation of not patenting first, it might help to realize that the process works on a first come first served basis. It’s referred to as the “First To File” process.It is simple. The first person to file for a patent, he’s the one considered the owner of the patent.This idea was a solution to curb the cases of people trying to steal already-existing inventions being ignorant of secured patents.It’s pretty obvious that someone will steal an idea after seeing or hearin g about it.As such, it’s only natural for such a person to try and patent after the original owner already did it.But in the event that the original owner never patented the innovation, then he is at a loss.In the eyes of the USPTO, he will be the one to prove ownership; not the alleged thief to prove his.In fact, the thief can even be the one suing the owner. Taking the first step can be his defensive move to keep the product.Consider Making a Provisional Patent ApplicationWith the costs involved, it’s quite understandableâ€"though not at all excusableâ€"that many would opt for the risks. In any case, haven’t many entrepreneurs started off this way?But to help you safeguard your upcoming business, the government made it possible to get the same protection at a lower cost.You do this by applying for the provisional patent.A provisional patent application is different from the regular patent. Its purpose is to create room for you to apply for the regular patent later on. The du ration you’re given to apply for the regular patent is 12 months.If one year passes without you doing so, then the protection you had is forfeited.In the event that you have a lawsuit concerning your invention and you provide your provisional patent, the ruling will likely be in your favor.Keep in mind that the judge will consider other factors surrounding the case too.Patent Your Invention in Other Countries Too (Especially China)If you live in the US, patenting your products with the USPTO is key for business.But that patent cannot protect your products outside the US.If your idea is stolen by someone in another country, your US patent won’t help you in a legal battle.The argument here is simple: other countries can also make inventionsâ€"and they do.For that reason, you will do well to consider patenting your product in other countries too.This is especially so if you intend to sell it outside the US.Still, even if you’re only selling it in the US, e-commerce can enable som eone else sell the product online.As long as he is not a US citizen, you can’t stop him from doing so.Most US inventions are sold within its borders. If they cross the borders, they often land in ally states who might respect US patents. One longstanding friendly country is the UK. Unfortunately, that cannot be said of all others.China is known to steal intellectual property. The Israeli innovation mentioned above is not a rare case.The US-China trade war which started in 2018 raises this issue. And not only is it from a purely business perspective, but also from a military one.It has been reported that the Chinese J-20 fighter jet was built using data stolen from US military systems. Going by these reports, then you can see how much of a problem stealing inventions is.MORE TIPS TO SAFEGUARD YOUR INVENTIONApart from these steps you can take to protect your invention, there are a couple other things you can do to increase your business success rates.Here are some things to consider even when you’re making your product known to backers.1. Don’t Expose Your Trade SecretsIntellectual property is a term which covers many different things.. Generally, anything that is derived from the mind through creativity qualifies to be called intellectual property.This can include music, poems, software code, drawings, fashion clothing designs, car designs etc.Still, there are other pieces of information which are very critical to the business or the successful operation of an invention. Such are what are called trade secrets.These include things like formulas, processes, practices and other technical information which give you an economic advantage. These are the things which when your competitor knows, he’ll be able to produce an exact replica of your product.Let’s consider the example of a car manufacturer. For him, trade secrets can include the exterior design, technical engine specifications, materials used to create the engine or body, suspension design etc.If a competitor got these details, he could make something similar or even better.This will take away the competitive edge the original inventor had.2. Clearly Differentiate Your Invention from OthersWhen applying for a patent, you have to show that your product is truly unique.This is the basis of calling it an invention. There must not exist anything similar to it.Of course, there can be some sort of similarity and this is where the problem arises.In such a case, it’s your ability to describe and elaborate on the uniqueness that will get you a patent.Ensure you are technical and detailed with your illustrations.3. Be Careful with Stranger “Co-Inventors”As you market your new product on the crowdfunding site you choose, beware of those who comment giving you advice on how you can make your invention better.This is good feedback that will come in handy later.However, it’s wise to remember that unexpected challenges can never be completely avoided.The same way someone may try ste aling your idea, the same way someone may try to do it by indirectly contributing to it. If you include his contribution to the final product, he can then claim a part of it since his ideas are implemented in it.In business, feedback from customers is used to improve products and services. Customers are happy about it and the company also benefits through additional sales and increased revenues.Take note however that this is where the company is established. In your case, you aren’t. You probably haven’t even started your campaign. The chances of someone trying to play a trick on you is high.How do you recognize such people?They will often be busy giving you ideas even when everyone else is not.Or if everyone is excited and giving you their thoughts, they are more dedicated and seem too interested in getting their ideas accepted.They can even follow up through frequent communication to see whether you incorporated their thoughts into the final product.Note that it doesn’t mean that anyone who is very excited about your invention is out to rob you.To ascertain that, you’ll have to take your time or maybe just go by your instincts.4. Protect Your Brand TooIf you’re set to run your own business, you might be having other intellectual property ready for take-off.Two of these are your brand name or exact name of the final product and your trademark.Do not reveal this information when crowdfunding. These can be stolen too, especially if they are catchy and easy to market.The name of the upcoming company or product can be used to register domains and even set up websites and blogs. If this happens, you’ll have a hard time getting started since searching for an appropriate domain name can be challenging.You may struggle coming up with the right name which is also available. This will delay your progress unnecessarily.5. Be Ready to ManufactureSince manufacturing is a big challenge and you can be beaten at it, try and seal a manufacturing deal before launch ing your campaign. This will help save the time used looking for a manufacturer after the funds have been secured.Depending on what you’re manufacturing, consider Chinese manufacturers.Although the Chinese are the ones commonly accused of insincerity, they happen to have cheap raw materials and labor.These two resources make manufacturing in Chine cheaper than in other countries.If you’re in a position to, visit your preferred manufacturer and see his work. Depending on the internet too much can cost you. You might fall into the hands of fraudsters.6. Set Up an Online StoreAfter you have done all that, set up an online store for selling your own product. This can be implemented in various ways.If you only have one product, then you won’t have much work to do. A simple plugin for your website or blog will be enough.If you’re selling many products, consider going fully e-commerce.You can also sell your product on Amazon. That will help you avoid the extra work of building your own e-commerce website.CONCLUSIONWith all the work you put in to invent your product, be wise to follow the advice given here.You will be able to enjoy the fruits of your own labor if you protect your invention.You can also consult an attorney for further help with these matters.

Before You Crowdfund an Invention, Consider Patent Protection

Before You Crowdfund an Invention, Consider Patent Protection Are you an inventor? Do you have an invention that works just as you expected?It all starts with a crazy idea which you believe in so much that you put in the effort to bring it to life.But the journey is never smooth. You will often get close to the working product only for a small hitch to take you several steps back.If you have developed anything from scratch, either a physical product to a virtual one like a software product, you know this process.So, when your eureka moment comes and everything works perfectly, you have a lot to celebrate.And the next logical step is to get funding so you can develop your product in large scale and sell.And where do you get funding from?Easy. You crowdfund. Right?Crowdfunding has gained a lot of popularity as startups seek to launch their business ideas despite having little cash.The idea is to have many people, referred to as backers, contribute small amounts to reach the desired amount.WHY CROWDFUND?The ease and convenience of getting funding through crowdfunding platforms is unmatched.Moreover, this funding avenue offers more than just funding opportunities.Crowdfunding also provides some good benefits which are worth appreciating:More Efficient Than Traditional FundingOne of the reasons crowdfunding is popular is the ease of access to backers.Backers don’t necessarily need to value your idea as banks would, before getting on board with it. It therefore becomes easier to access funding than if you visited a bank for a loan.In many cases, banks will require some form of security. Apart from that, the process is longer and tiresome.And since banks will consider your financial status before lending you any money, you may not stand a chance if you’re not a transacting customer.But what do backers require before giving you funds?All you have to do is win them using your invention and allow them to be first in experiencing it.Backers are people who love being ahead of others.They want to have the most novel of products so they enjoy their value as well as stand out from the crowd.This is why a platform like kickstarter has over 16.7 million backers.Check out the below official statistics about the platform. Source: KickstarterWhere you have such a big number of people willing to buy a new product before others can, the opportunities are unlimited.Also, launching your funding campaign on crowdfunding platforms is as easy as creating an online profile.Running the whole campaign, depending on the product and the duration you specify, can be very short.Indicator of Consumer InterestCrowdfunding also gives you an opportunity to gather customer feedback before having any real customers. You can look at this as product validation.If your invention is really cool and many people are eager to have it, then you know that your product is a success.Going through the comments from backers and potential fans of your product, you’ll see how much the market needs your product.There’s nothing as great for an entrepreneur as having the assurance that your product has a ready market.If the crowdfunding population wants your product, then so will the normal market outside the platform.Provides Cheap Bu t Excellent MarketingAnd with that assurance comes something else very critical for the “normal market.” That thing is marketing.You can look at the crowdfunding platform as a different world from the one you live in. In the crowdfunding world, people are eager to get new stuff. But in the “real” world, the skeptics could outnumber the potential customers.Furthermore, if you have no business experience or are little known, the chances of your business kicking off are slim.But not so if you first go through a platform like kickstarter or Indiegogo.Once the people in these platform go back to the “real” world of Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat etc, they will spread the news.They will create lots of awareness and publicity about the new invention in town.And if you have a website and social media pages, they can share links and help get the word out there.This is what social media marketing is all about.However, the beauty here is that you don’t labor so much. Just do the r ight campaign in the crowdfunding platform and so much more will follow.CROWDFUNDING RISKSBut the benefits of crowdfunding do not in any way mean that there are no risks. In fact, the risks involved are big. These risks are the reason behind writing this article.By the time you’re done reading, you’ll understand what to do to stay safe.The information will help you avoid losing your invention to someone who never worked for it.Here are two of the biggest risks you should be aware of.Stolen IdeasThe problem with crowdfunding is that the platforms are public in nature. And the public nature we’re talking about here is the internet.That means that your fresh and unique ideas are basically visible to the whole world.This was designed and intended to be good for you as an inventor. And indeed, the benefits are great.The fact that you can get publicity from anywhere in the world increases your chances of hitting your funding target.But it’s in that same benefit where the problem l ies.And the problem is made worse by the fact that you have to share lots of information about your invention to get funding.The question is, how safe is the information you’re sharing?Had you been having a discussion with an individual, you could easily get him to commit to secrecy.But on the internet?That’s impossible.People from all over the world are looking for money.And just as thieves want money they never worked for, so do some people want to run with ideas which were never theirs.When you describe on the internet how a product works, it takes an expert in the field very little effort to make minor changes to the concept and make money with it.This is the birth of a competition which you’re likely unaware of.You go ahead to produce your product and find that someone has something which works better than your product.“How come?” you ask.Well, your idea was on the internet. Once on the internet, the safety of your invention is no longer guaranteed.Stolen InventionsA worse case is where the actual invention, not just the concept, is stolen.When this happens, the product which competes with you is a copycat, not a slightly different one. This is where everything is exactly like what you worked on in your private lab.This situation can be very heartbreaking because not only is it daylight robbery, but you can’t even distinguish your product from the robber’s.What’s worse is that you may not be able to do anything about it. You can lament, accuse, claim, threaten etc. But changing the situation altogether is extremely difficult.That was the situation in which an Israeli inventor found himself in. His invention wasn’t “improved” upon. It was replicated exactly as he had invented it.Yekutiel Sherman was sure he was going to become rich from exploiting the global selfie trend. Instead of relying on the traditional selfie stick, he designed a smartphone case which doubled as a selfie stick.All you needed to do was pull back the “stick” from the back of the cover, adjust the phone position and voila!But unknown to him, someone was keen on reaping where he had not sown. Just seven days into the kickstarter campaign, someone had stolen the invention, manufactured the product and was already selling it.Seven days is all it took for Yekutiel’s invention to make someone else rich.And that’s not all. Whereas the original product was to retail at $47.41, the copycat was on sale at $8.18. You can guess what the reaction of the backers was like when they got the news.HOW TO PROTECT YOUR INVENTIONIt’s always wise to learn from other people’s experiences. You don’t have to go through a similar situation so as to learn.This article teaches you how to protect your invention through patenting.Patenting is the only real protection you can have for your invention. The challenge however is that patenting is not easy.First, it’s a process and second, it’s costly.But does that mean that you should gamble and leave your invention vulnerable?Certainly not.There are steps you can take to safeguard your hard work and ensure you benefit accordingly from its commercialization.Here is what you should keep in mind as you seek to fund your invention.Patent Before Revealing Your InventionThe safest way to protect your invention is by patenting it before you go to source for funds.This is advisable whether you’re crowdfunding or looking for an angel investor or a venture capitalists.When you apply for a patent, you won’t get the patent immediately. It will take some time before the United States Patent and Trademark Office clears your invention for patenting. However, in the course of that time, your invention is well protected.As you go for patenting, it’s important that you understand that there are different protections that you can benefit from.Apart from protecting the invention itself, you can also protect your trademark and have copyrights for any written material used specifically to market you r product.The below video from the USPTO explains the differences between a patent, trademark and copyrights. Having done this, you can safely go ahead and describe your invention as required by backers.In fact, you can even say that your invention is already patented. That statement in itself will be a deterrent.In the event that someone steals your idea or the invention, you can take legal action against him.Patent Within One Year of Revealing Your InventionIn case you have already exposed your unique solution to the whole world without patenting, you can still do it.Normally, you are allowed by the law to apply for a patent within one year of disclosing your invention to the public. You should be relieved to know that all hope is not lost.However, you need to move quickly. If someone else beats you to that application, you might have difficulties getting the patent for yourself.It can be frustrating for you to start the process only to discover that someone else did it before you .At this point, you will have to prove ownership.Simply mentioning your crowdfunding campaign as evidence that you are the owner of the invention may not suffice in a court of law.Of course you can argue out your case logically.But will you be able to prove that the other party doesn’t have the knowledge you have? The idea? The resources?The best thing to do if you have an invention out there, just apply for the patent as soon as possible.Patenting is a “First To File” ProcessTo see the challenge in the situation of not patenting first, it might help to realize that the process works on a first come first served basis. It’s referred to as the “First To File” process.It is simple. The first person to file for a patent, he’s the one considered the owner of the patent.This idea was a solution to curb the cases of people trying to steal already-existing inventions being ignorant of secured patents.It’s pretty obvious that someone will steal an idea after seeing or hearin g about it.As such, it’s only natural for such a person to try and patent after the original owner already did it.But in the event that the original owner never patented the innovation, then he is at a loss.In the eyes of the USPTO, he will be the one to prove ownership; not the alleged thief to prove his.In fact, the thief can even be the one suing the owner. Taking the first step can be his defensive move to keep the product.Consider Making a Provisional Patent ApplicationWith the costs involved, it’s quite understandableâ€"though not at all excusableâ€"that many would opt for the risks. In any case, haven’t many entrepreneurs started off this way?But to help you safeguard your upcoming business, the government made it possible to get the same protection at a lower cost.You do this by applying for the provisional patent.A provisional patent application is different from the regular patent. Its purpose is to create room for you to apply for the regular patent later on. The du ration you’re given to apply for the regular patent is 12 months.If one year passes without you doing so, then the protection you had is forfeited.In the event that you have a lawsuit concerning your invention and you provide your provisional patent, the ruling will likely be in your favor.Keep in mind that the judge will consider other factors surrounding the case too.Patent Your Invention in Other Countries Too (Especially China)If you live in the US, patenting your products with the USPTO is key for business.But that patent cannot protect your products outside the US.If your idea is stolen by someone in another country, your US patent won’t help you in a legal battle.The argument here is simple: other countries can also make inventionsâ€"and they do.For that reason, you will do well to consider patenting your product in other countries too.This is especially so if you intend to sell it outside the US.Still, even if you’re only selling it in the US, e-commerce can enable som eone else sell the product online.As long as he is not a US citizen, you can’t stop him from doing so.Most US inventions are sold within its borders. If they cross the borders, they often land in ally states who might respect US patents. One longstanding friendly country is the UK. Unfortunately, that cannot be said of all others.China is known to steal intellectual property. The Israeli innovation mentioned above is not a rare case.The US-China trade war which started in 2018 raises this issue. And not only is it from a purely business perspective, but also from a military one.It has been reported that the Chinese J-20 fighter jet was built using data stolen from US military systems. Going by these reports, then you can see how much of a problem stealing inventions is.MORE TIPS TO SAFEGUARD YOUR INVENTIONApart from these steps you can take to protect your invention, there are a couple other things you can do to increase your business success rates.Here are some things to consider even when you’re making your product known to backers.1. Don’t Expose Your Trade SecretsIntellectual property is a term which covers many different things.. Generally, anything that is derived from the mind through creativity qualifies to be called intellectual property.This can include music, poems, software code, drawings, fashion clothing designs, car designs etc.Still, there are other pieces of information which are very critical to the business or the successful operation of an invention. Such are what are called trade secrets.These include things like formulas, processes, practices and other technical information which give you an economic advantage. These are the things which when your competitor knows, he’ll be able to produce an exact replica of your product.Let’s consider the example of a car manufacturer. For him, trade secrets can include the exterior design, technical engine specifications, materials used to create the engine or body, suspension design etc.If a competitor got these details, he could make something similar or even better.This will take away the competitive edge the original inventor had.2. Clearly Differentiate Your Invention from OthersWhen applying for a patent, you have to show that your product is truly unique.This is the basis of calling it an invention. There must not exist anything similar to it.Of course, there can be some sort of similarity and this is where the problem arises.In such a case, it’s your ability to describe and elaborate on the uniqueness that will get you a patent.Ensure you are technical and detailed with your illustrations.3. Be Careful with Stranger “Co-Inventors”As you market your new product on the crowdfunding site you choose, beware of those who comment giving you advice on how you can make your invention better.This is good feedback that will come in handy later.However, it’s wise to remember that unexpected challenges can never be completely avoided.The same way someone may try ste aling your idea, the same way someone may try to do it by indirectly contributing to it. If you include his contribution to the final product, he can then claim a part of it since his ideas are implemented in it.In business, feedback from customers is used to improve products and services. Customers are happy about it and the company also benefits through additional sales and increased revenues.Take note however that this is where the company is established. In your case, you aren’t. You probably haven’t even started your campaign. The chances of someone trying to play a trick on you is high.How do you recognize such people?They will often be busy giving you ideas even when everyone else is not.Or if everyone is excited and giving you their thoughts, they are more dedicated and seem too interested in getting their ideas accepted.They can even follow up through frequent communication to see whether you incorporated their thoughts into the final product.Note that it doesn’t mean that anyone who is very excited about your invention is out to rob you.To ascertain that, you’ll have to take your time or maybe just go by your instincts.4. Protect Your Brand TooIf you’re set to run your own business, you might be having other intellectual property ready for take-off.Two of these are your brand name or exact name of the final product and your trademark.Do not reveal this information when crowdfunding. These can be stolen too, especially if they are catchy and easy to market.The name of the upcoming company or product can be used to register domains and even set up websites and blogs. If this happens, you’ll have a hard time getting started since searching for an appropriate domain name can be challenging.You may struggle coming up with the right name which is also available. This will delay your progress unnecessarily.5. Be Ready to ManufactureSince manufacturing is a big challenge and you can be beaten at it, try and seal a manufacturing deal before launch ing your campaign. This will help save the time used looking for a manufacturer after the funds have been secured.Depending on what you’re manufacturing, consider Chinese manufacturers.Although the Chinese are the ones commonly accused of insincerity, they happen to have cheap raw materials and labor.These two resources make manufacturing in Chine cheaper than in other countries.If you’re in a position to, visit your preferred manufacturer and see his work. Depending on the internet too much can cost you. You might fall into the hands of fraudsters.6. Set Up an Online StoreAfter you have done all that, set up an online store for selling your own product. This can be implemented in various ways.If you only have one product, then you won’t have much work to do. A simple plugin for your website or blog will be enough.If you’re selling many products, consider going fully e-commerce.You can also sell your product on Amazon. That will help you avoid the extra work of building your own e-commerce website.CONCLUSIONWith all the work you put in to invent your product, be wise to follow the advice given here.You will be able to enjoy the fruits of your own labor if you protect your invention.You can also consult an attorney for further help with these matters.

Socrates And Machiavelli A Political Philosopher

At first glance, Socrates and Machiavelli appear to have a lot in common. They both lived in a time of political unrest and violence. They both dealt with uncertain surroundings in their societies. Most importantly, they both tried to use philosophy to improve their society. However, there was also an important difference between them. While Socrates was a moral philosopher whose goal was to search for truth and knowledge, Machiavelli was a political philosopher whose goal was to create a lasting society with a Prince that could hold power. Because of their clashing ideals, it is unlikely that Socrates would be supportive of a Machiavellian political system or Prince, though there are specific aspects of the society that Socrates would†¦show more content†¦For example, one thing Machiavelli mentions is that it is necessary for a Prince to appear â€Å"merciful, faithful, humane, trustworthy, and religious,† to his subjects. However, Machiavelli believes that actually having those qualities is irrelevant, as long as it looks like he is to his people. Socrates would not approve of this sort of deception of the population. When Socrates discusses wisdom and his quest for knowledge, he talks about how when he talked to both the poets and the craftsmen, they thought themselves knowledgeable in many aspects that they were not, which led him to conclude that true wisdom is knowing the limitations of knowledge. This common theme for Socrates, the acknowledgement of one’s shortcomings, is diametrically opposed to Machiavelli’s version of a Prince, who appears virtuous regardless of how accurate that is. Because of this, Socrates would not agree with Machiavelli on what makes a good Prince. In addition, Socrates and Machiavelli would disagree on the most important form of education that a Prince should engage in. Machiavelli argues that the only important thing a Prince needs to study is the art of war. He goes so far as to argue that, â€Å"A Prince†¦ must not have any other object nor any other thought, nor must he adopt anything as his art but war, its institutions, and its discipline.† He continues by saying that even during peacetime, a Prince needs to occupy his mind and train himselfShow MoreRelatedMachiavelli And Socrates Similarities1437 Words   |  6 Pagessame way. This is the case with two philosophers, Socrates and Machiavelli, who both lived during times of internal political strife. Greece was divided into numerous city states that were constantly at war with one another and hundreds of years later, Italy would also experience this political fragmentation and violence. Despite having these identical environments, Socrates and Machiavelli adopted two very distinctive and contrasting perspectives. Socrates used his experiences and the environmentRead MoreCompare And Contrast Socrates And Machiavelli1419 Words   |  6 PagesSocrates vs. Machiavelli: The meaning of truth As philosophers, both Socrates and Niccolo Machiavelli developed theories in response to the warring political environment around them. However, the theories and principles developed by the two philosophers are vastly different in regard to the concept of truth, Socrates would hate Machiavelli’s model prince due to Machiavelli’s manipulative view of truth. While Socrates desired a state that focuses on fundamental truth and ethical decisions, MachiavelliRead MoreMachiavelli s The Prince And Plato s Apology1697 Words   |  7 PagesMachiavelli’s â€Å"The Prince† and Plato’s â€Å"Apology† Philosophers have unique and yet similar ways of interpreting life through a variety of different values and beliefs appointed to oneself. Some philosophers have the ability and courage to stand up to what they are trying to accomplish or for what they believe in, even if consequences follow their actions. Machiavelli and Plato have different perspectives and goals in their writing, however their stories also have some underlining similarities suchRead MoreThe Relationship Between Machiavelli And Machiavelli s The Prince1075 Words   |  5 PagesWhile some philosophers have similar opinions on what it takes to be an effective leader, such as intelligence and worldliness, there are many that disagree on traits they find beneficial. The reasons for these disagreements are vast but one of the crucial factors are the societies and historical eras these authors were nurtured within. Through their own experiences with government and turmoil, philosophers are able to give their critiques on government and human nature as a whole. Socrates and MachiavelliRead MoreSocrates And Machiavelli1660 Words   |  7 Pagesworks of Socrates and Machiavelli are as polarized as the phrases â€Å"the unexamined life is not worth living† and â€Å"the ends justify the means.† The Prince by Machiavelli and The Last Days of Socrates by Plato are both crucial texts to the discussion of what makes a good political leader. Well, what makes a good political leader? Socrates would disagree with Machiavelli’s ideation of the Prince because of the immorality that he allows this model to have in the public sphere. However, Socrates would findRead MoreSimilarities Of Socrates And Machiavelli1669 Words   |  7 PagesBoth Socrates and Machiavelli emerged as renowned thinkers of their time because of their approaches to government that moved away from idealism and towards a rational and real approach. To understand why Socrates would be critical of Machiavelli’s concept of a Prince we must understand the similarities and differences between the two philosophers, and then analyze if Socrates would find his ruling system to be efficient. Socrates and Machiavelli value the qualities of a strong and fair ruler, howeverRead MoreSocrates, Machiavelli, And Rousseau s Views On Political Ethics1722 Words   |  7 PagesSocrates, Machiavelli, and Rousseau are three philosophers discussing political ethics from entirely different perspectives. This paper argues that Socrates, Machiavelli, and Rousseau are all idealists regarding their stances on political ethics. First, this paper argues that Socrates is an idealist due his belief that the current government has much more potential than it is currently reaching, and that the government could eventually be changed. Second, this paper argues that Rousseau is an idealistRead MoreNiccolo Machiavelli And Plato1693 Words   |  7 PagesNiccolo Machiavelli and Socrates (through Plato) have both given the world plenty of advice when it comes to governing. Both men have contributed to the debate of what a ‘prince’, or ruler, should look like. They lived in different time periods but were both surrounded by political uncertainty and fragmentation, which contributed to their views of government. Their ideals of a prince overlap in ways, but overall there are glaring differences in how they think a ‘prince’ should rule. A strong exampleRead MoreSocrates And Niccolo Machiavelli1735 Words   |  7 PagesEssay 1: Socrates and Machiavelli Although Socrates and Niccolo Machiavelli lived in different time periods, the political climate that their philosophies were founded on were very similar. The trial of Socrates began after the Peloponnesian War when the new Spartan Tyranny took over the Athenian government. Socrates was accused of corrupting the youth and disrespecting the gods by the Spartan government. In the eyes of the Spartan government Socrates is a gadfly because of his posing of upsettingRead MoreThe Political Philosophy Of Niccolo Machiavelli And Socrates1444 Words   |  6 PagesAmong the most well-known and notorious philosophers, Niccolo Machiavelli and Socrates laid the groundwork for western political philosophy and modern day politics. Though both lived through times of political transition and war, the fragility of their politics, violence of their wars, and the leaders they lived under influenced the development of their differing ideologies about the governing of principalities. From Machiavelli’s experience, came, â€Å"The Prince,† a guidebook about the importance of

The Fourteenth Amendment Of The Constitution - 2057 Words

The Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments are a really big part of the Constitution for slavery and about the equal rights in the United States. The government created the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth amendment to allow racial equality in the United States by freeing all of the slaves, giving them the right to get citizenship, and the right to vote. I will be talking about each Amendment and how they were formed and also why. The Thirteenth Amendment of the Constitution says, â€Å"Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. Section 2. Congress shall†¦show more content†¦Since the Thirteenth Amendment was passed in America than that means that all of the slaves are free and get the same rights as any usual white man. Thirteenth amendment makes slavery and involuntary servitude, in A merica it is illegal to have slaves. President Andrew Johnson helped get the thirteenth amendment ratified by three-fourths of the state in 1865. To pass a law the state legislatures have to vote more than three fourths or else the law does not become a law. It also takes a long time for all of the legislatures to vote on it because they have to talk about it and agree or disagree with each other and that could become a very long time before the law gets approved or not. They ended slavery after the Civil War and the Senate proposed the thirteenth amendment in 1864. Slavery was the main reason that the Civil War started. Abraham Lincoln started it by trying to put the Thirteenth Amendment into the Constitution. Kentucky is the only state that still uses the Union and declined to emancipate slaves. Kentucky is one of the states that allowed people to have slaves and have people work for them legally. The thirteenth amendment is the subject of controversy. The Supreme Court ruled the Thirteenth amendment and says that it does not apply to discrimination in private relationships. Mississippi did not ratify the thirteenth amendment. Mississippi was allowed to be

The Use of Symbolism in The Lord of the Flies by William...

The Use of Symbolism in The Lord of the Flies by William Golding A symbol is something concrete that represents another thing or idea. In Lord Of The Flies a lot of things we encounter are given symbolic meaning by the way the author William Golding uses them. The book it’s self is named after a symbol, the words â€Å"Lord Of The Flies† translated means â€Å"Beelzebub† which is another word for â€Å"the devil† the book was named after the devil because evil has a large influence on the book and it’s characters. Evil takes dominance in the book over the power of good and causes death suffering and prevents the establishment of civilisation by the means of chaos and anarchy. From the second that William†¦show more content†¦The lightening sets the atmosphere to suggest terror, chaos and fear, in the present and future. After Simon is killed and the â€Å"beast† drifts away from the island the weather changes and becomes the aftermath of the past â€Å"Towards midnight the rain ceased and the clouds drifted away, so that the sky was scattered once more with the incredible lamps of stars.† The weather conditions changed after Simon’s death to signify the chaos was over and the threat namely the â€Å"beast† was no more. As extensive research I investigated Golding’s deeper meanings of names. Although it is not explained in the book, Golding uses symbolism through the characters’ names to explain their actions and personalities. Golding chose the names from the languages of Hebrew – Jack and Simon, Germanic - Roger and Anglo-Saxon – Ralph. In these languages the characters’ names mean.  · Jack – â€Å"One who supplants† which explains the actions of Jack supplying people with meat.  · Simon – â€Å"The listener† which explains the actions of Simon listening carefully to the group and the Lord Of The Flies.  · Roger – â€Å"Spear† which suggests he is extremely violent and a tool of evil or death.  · Ralph – â€Å"Counsel† this explains his suggestions and natural gift of leadership. Golding chose these names as theyShow MoreRelatedIn the novel Lord of the Flies William Golding uses many forms of symbolism to point out the600 Words   |  3 PagesIn the novel Lord of the Flies William Golding uses many forms of symbolism to point out the underlying conflicts in their society. By using these symbols he makes the reader not only think about the problems that arise in the book, but also hints towards problems in our society today. The story uses the conch, fire, and the glasses to reference other meanings in the story. These symbols play a crucial part in the story in which they provide the reader with information that isn’t directly statedRead MoreWilliam Golding s Lord Of The Flies 1299 Words   |  6 PagesSavagery in Civilization: Symbolism in Lord of the Flies Symbolism as defined by the Merriam Webster Dictionary, is â€Å"the use of symbols to express or represent ideas or qualities in literature, art, etc.† (â€Å"Symbolism†). For this reason, symbolism is utilized in literature in order to make novels more interesting and convey notions that are usually either highly controversial or extremely philosophical. For example in the popular novel A Separate Peace, John Knowles uses Gene in order to depict theRead MoreThe Powers of the Symbols in Lord of the Flies929 Words   |  4 PagesLord of the Flies is a novel that is all about symbols that have different powers which is used on the boys. Two of the symbols which are the conch and the sow’s head contain powers that are opposite of each other and they have a great affect on the boys. Lord of the Flies would be a different story without symbols. The conch has the powers that lead to civilization and order. It represents the authority that the boys will need to get r escued from the island. The sow’s head on the other hand representsRead MoreWilliam Goldings Lord of the Flies Essay1255 Words   |  6 Pagesever since they were born, or would they disregard all of it and do as they please because there is no definite authority figure to tell them how to live. In William Goldings, The Lord of the Flies, he brilliantly tells a story of life and death and everything in between. His use of symbolism with the conch, beast, and lord of the flies is phenomenal. It is a story that makes you think. Every person, when faced with reality, may act civil now, but in a survival situation, human nature takes overRead MoreLord of The Flies Essay1673 Words   |  7 PagesLord of the Flies was published in 1954 by William Golding. Today Lord of the Flies is a well known literary criticism. Many schools require their students to read Lord of the Flies because of the literary criticisms in the book. In this paper three themes or literary criticisms are ta lked about: good vs. evil, symbolism of characters, and maturity of characters. Another topic in Goldings Lord of the Flies is the battle of good vs. evil. Everything seems to start out just fine on the island; theRead MoreLord Of The Flies : Representation Of Violence And War1611 Words   |  7 PagesLord Of The Flies: Representation Of Violence and War Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian, states that â€Å" The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world that it leaves to its children.† In William Golding’s Lord Of The Flies, societal topics run rampant throughout the text with Golding’s use of individuals to represent different aspects of society. Many writers view the Lord Of The Flies as an allegory, as societal topics such as politics make appearances throughout the text. InRead MoreAnalysis Of Lord Of The Flies And Hunger Games By Suzanne Collins1208 Words   |  5 Pagesit. The novels, Lord of The Flies by William Golding and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, demonstrate this prospect as through the narrative techniques of characterisation, plot, setting and style, they exemplify the moral decline of man under pressure to survive, ultimately resulting in savagery. Characterisation plays a major role in both texts as each character serves as a representation humanity and the faults within it. Throughout Lord of the Flies there is a developingRead MoreWilliam Golding s Lord Of The Flies1119 Words   |  5 PagesWhat is human nature? How does William Golding use it in such a simple story of English boys to precisely illustrate how truly destructive humans can be? Golding was in World War Two, he saw how destructive humans can be first hand, and how ‘normal’ people can turn into savages. In the book Lord of the Flies by William Golding, Golding uses the theme of human nature to show how easily society can fall, and how self-destructive human nature is towards itself. Throughout the story there are recurringRead More Struggle Between Good and Evil in William Goldings Lord of the Flies1186 Words   |  5 PagesGood and Evil in William Goldings Lord of the Flies   Ã‚  Ã‚   Evil is not an external force controlled by the devil, but rather the potential for evil resides within each person. Man has the potential to exhibit great kindness or to rape and pillage. In the novel Lord of the Flies, William Golding deals with this evil that exists in the heart of man. With his mastery of such literary tool as structure, syntax, diction, point of view and presentation of character, Golding allows the readerRead MoreEssay on Symbolism in Lord of the Flies, by William Golding912 Words   |  4 PagesSymbolism in Lord of the Flies, by William Golding In his classic novel, Lord of the Flies, William Golding uses many elements of symbolism to help the readers gain a greater understanding of his message. Symbolism can be anything, a person, place, or thing, used to portray something beyond its self. It is used to represent or foreshadow the conclusion of the story. As one reads this novel, he or she will begin to recognize the way basic civilization is slowly stripped away from the boys as conflict

Creationism Vs. Evolution (954 words) Essay Example For Students

Creationism Vs. Evolution (954 words) Essay Creationism vs. EvolutionThe majority of people in this world believe that a spiritual being created earth. In fact, most religions and cultures believe the universe was created by a creative hand, either a sky god or some other physical object (Encarta 1). Think of it, as a trial to see which will win, creation or evolution. It has been the most argued debate in all of history, but creationism is more logical than evolution. To first understand what creation is about, we have to know what creation is. The Bible defines creation as the action by God that brought the universe and all its contents into being. The Bible also states, God created great whales and every living creature that moveth, and so God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them (Genesis 1:21, 27). To Doug LaPointe, the author of Top Evidences against the Theory of Evolution, there are nine articles of evidence pointing weaknesses in evolution, or strong points in creation. The first evidence is that there are no links between the fossil record and present times; therefore, there is nothing to show that evolution actually happened. Second, that natural selection cannot advance an organism to a higher order. The third being that although evolutionists believe life just came about, matter resulted from nothing, and humans evolved from animals, all of these are against scientific and nat ural understandings. Fourth, even though evolutionists present them as if they were, the hominids bones and skull records, for example the famous Lucy, the finds are unrevealing and inconsistent. The fifth and sixth articles of evidence are the nine out of 12 hominids that evolutionists use are really extinct apes, and the other three are modern human beings and not part ape. This would conclude that all of the twelve hominids are something other than hominids and are not half-human, half-ape. Evidence seven and eight show that natural selection has practical, social, and logical inconsistencies. The last evidence says that the rock strata finds are better explained by a universal flood than by evolution, which would show yet more proof in the Bible (LaPointe 1-2). Michael Behe, author of the recent bestseller Darwins Black Box, states, I was amazed that people believe in evolution when there was this clear argument against it (Behe 3). At first Darwinism was taught at schools, but there were so many flaws that these ideas were turned down, and a different form of evolution was taught. The new form was then taught along with a type of scientific creation (Encarta 2). This shows that schools feel that Darwin was wrong, and Darwin is evolutions top scholar. We will write a custom essay on Creationism Vs. Evolution (954 words) specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now In order to disprove a way of thinking we must first know what we are trying to disprove. The definition of evolution is the complex process by which living organisms originated on earth and have been diversified and modified through sustained changes in form and function (Encarta 2). Thomas Robert Malthus first stated that the human population was growing too fast for the food supply. This, he said, Is regulated by disease, famine, and war (Infopedia 1). Darwin applied this to animals and plants and came up with the theory of evolution by natural selection. His theory stated that the children of a species intensely compete for survival. Those young that survive to produce the next generation tend to be embodying favorable natural variations and these variations are passed on by heredity. Therefore, each generation will improve adaptively over the preceding generations, and this gradual and continuos process is the source of the evolution of the species (Infopedia 1-2). The notion th at populations of organisms can be transformed over generations into descendant population of different kinds has been suggested repeatedly since the early-recorded history of ideas, but if you trace all the species back to their origin, you would get one object. Now the real part of this argument is right here. How did that one object come into being? It couldnt have happened by mere chance. It did not always exist so there had to be nothing before it. If there was nothing before it, how was it created? Now some would like to say that it was created by the Big Bang, but if you look at the Big Bang theory, it is suggesting that the one object did not just appear that it was created by the Big Bang. This is a contradiction because the Big Bang is supposed to have just happened (Encarta 1). The other contradiction to this statement is that by the laws of science matter has to come from other matter, but the Big Bang theory used by scientists states that the first matter just happened at the Big Bang and came from nothing. .ucc58f3c7a8dfba92d8dd36db7636c0e1 , .ucc58f3c7a8dfba92d8dd36db7636c0e1 .postImageUrl , .ucc58f3c7a8dfba92d8dd36db7636c0e1 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ucc58f3c7a8dfba92d8dd36db7636c0e1 , .ucc58f3c7a8dfba92d8dd36db7636c0e1:hover , .ucc58f3c7a8dfba92d8dd36db7636c0e1:visited , .ucc58f3c7a8dfba92d8dd36db7636c0e1:active { border:0!important; } .ucc58f3c7a8dfba92d8dd36db7636c0e1 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ucc58f3c7a8dfba92d8dd36db7636c0e1 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ucc58f3c7a8dfba92d8dd36db7636c0e1:active , .ucc58f3c7a8dfba92d8dd36db7636c0e1:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ucc58f3c7a8dfba92d8dd36db7636c0e1 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ucc58f3c7a8dfba92d8dd36db7636c0e1 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ucc58f3c7a8dfba92d8dd36db7636c0e1 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ucc58f3c7a8dfba92d8dd36db7636c0e1 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ucc58f3c7a8dfba92d8dd36db7636c0e1:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ucc58f3c7a8dfba92d8dd36db7636c0e1 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ucc58f3c7a8dfba92d8dd36db7636c0e1 .ucc58f3c7a8dfba92d8dd36db7636c0e1-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ucc58f3c7a8dfba92d8dd36db7636c0e1:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Soul Searching EssayNow that we have the facts, we should be able to look at it from an atheistic point of view, and be able to easily crush the argument that the earth might have just happened and evolved into present day. This argument without a doubt shows proof of a Creator. There had to be a Creator because even by the scientific or atheistic point of view, it is not possible for something to come from nothing. So that something, that existence came from God, the Creator. Works CitedBefe, Dr. Michael. The Evolution of a Skeptic. The Real Issue. : Leadership U., 1197. Encarta. Creation. Microsoft Corp., 1998. Encarta. Evolution. Microsoft Corp., 1998. Holy Bible. King James Version. Camden, New Jersey: Thomas Nelson Inc., 1972. Infopedia. Darwin, Charles Robert. Softkey Multimedia Inc., 1996. LaPointe, Doug. Top Evidences Against the Theory of Evolution. Lakewood, NewJersey: Calvary Academy, 1995.

A Choice of Life and the Price of Being Different

A Choice of Life and the Price of Being Different The society influences an individual to do what it expects them to do. Societal rules and regulations are to be followed by an individual irrespective of his or her social status. It is not surprising that each category of individuals have specific mode of dressing, roles to play, ways of behaving and certain expectations. The society imposes stricter sanctions to non-conformers, which include discrimination and banishment.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on A Choice of Life and the Price of Being Different specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Such rules are usually enforced by the society through various agencies such as Criminal Justice systems, which include the police, court system and correction institutions. Non-conformers are punished according to the severity of offenses. Youths are expected to be hardworking in order to achieve their dreams while women are supposed to learn the ideals of motherhood since childhood. From a personal perspective, the society demands too much from individuals without caring about their welfares. The society is much concerned about the welfare of all members. This implies that individuals are just parts that make up the whole. The society derives its rules and principles from religious writings. This implies that philosophies differ from one society to another. It is therefore true that Islamic societies differ from Christian dominated societies. For instance, religion decries that the only acceptable form of marriage is between a man and a woman. It follows naturally that all religions have some similarities, although differences exist. Through creation theory, religion establishes that man represent masculinity while a woman connotes femininity. Gender determines the position and role of an individual in society. It is unacceptable for a woman to disguise as a man while the reverse is also true. Through movies, that is Fire, boys do not cry, is it a boy or girl and Guess who is coming finer, it is established that the society is still traditional. Some people claim that we live in a post-modern society but that is not true. Movies reveal that the society is still conservative meaning that we assign roles based on gender. It is evident that each generation has some form of gender disparity. What changes is only the form. This implies that the society is not ready to embrace gender equality. Men still subjugate and oppress women. Political and economic power is concentrated in the hands of men. Women are awarded degrading roles such as secretary and motherhood. Domination and suppression of women have changed its form from the chains of iron to the chains of Gold.Advertising Looking for essay on philosophy? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Economically, women are likened to the proletariat, who produce goods they that they do not consume. Women cannot liberate themselves becau se they do not have the means and power. They are only allowed to participate in activities that do not contradict the interests and wishes of men. Hobbes argued that an individual gave up his right to a common authority in order to restore constancy and normalcy in society. Life was short lived and brutal. People could solve conflicts through fighting because the situation could not allow peaceful resolution of conflicts. Hobbes argued that men decided to surrender their sovereignty to a universal entity referred to as a Leviathan. The Leviathan could ensure that each person’s interests and wishes are taken care of. All forms of injustices characterized the state of nature. The common authority could guarantee peace. This implies that an individual must obey societal rules and regulations if he/she is to avoid previous conditions found in the state of nature. The rules control strong individuals from injuring the weaker in society. Rousseau observed that the rules are very i mportant in safeguarding societal peace. Without the rules, the society could lose its meaning. Martin Luther king had an issue with the social contract’s postulations claiming that obeying such rules depended on the nature of existing laws. Rules are only observed if they add value to human life. Oppressive rules and regulations should be avoided at all costs meaning that individuals are only encouraged to subscribe to regulations that add value to their lives. Laws isolating people based on sexual orientation and race should not exist. All people are the same and are supposed to exist freely in society. Skin color and physical appearance should never be used to discriminate some members of society. Charles Mills refuses to endorse the findings of the social contract, terming it a racial contract because it discriminates people of color. He views the theory as an avenue used by the whites and the rich to dominate others in society. John Stuart Mill describes freedom as indep endence from the tyranny of the majority.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on A Choice of Life and the Price of Being Different specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More He views collectivity as a tyranny of the multitude. In this regard, each person has the right to do what he/she desires. In his view, the society only intervenes to protect the weak but not to impose rules to everyone. Devlin reviewed the works of Mill by noting that every society should have its own morality. This is because morality unifies people. People sharing a culture can easily reach at Consensus pertaining to thorny issues.